We regularly work with HCPs as advisors on a range of issues such as medicines development, the role of a medicine in a patient pathway, health economics and clinical best practice. These HCPs possess specific insight and knowledge in their respective fields to help us to better evaluate data and/or scientific issues and respond to the changing and diverse needs of our practitioners and, most importantly, patients.

We engage HCPs as expert speakers to inform their peers on our medicines and the role they can play in the management of particular conditions and we also provide funding towards the registration fees for HCPs to attend third party medical educational meetings and conferences.

At Pfizer, we believe HCPs should be paid for the time they invest and expertise they offer in this important work, but it is right that we continually review how this works in practice. We're strongly committed to openness and transparency in our interactions and we hope that the healthcare professionals we work with feel the same, which is why we will only work with those who are happy to share information about our work together in the public domain.

Annually in June, we report the total figure paid in the previous year to all HCPs in consultancy fees for service, and sponsorship to attend third party medical education meetings. This information is publicly available on the ABPI's Disclosure UK website as part of a universal industry decision to improve transparency.